And they’re the goals we set. Furthering education, financial freedom, career, improving the marriage, and so forth… So many goals we have, but fear has clouded our way. But once again… it’s within each of us. If you want to make that change, it starts with you…

THOUGHT: God has given us the tools; equip each of us with the necessities to come out of bondage and to accomplish goals. Furthermore, He has given us the Word to help us to discover our true identity; not defined by this world, but rather in Christ.  Take the time to look within. It will be painful, but as you face the past, the demonic forces, the hidden internal conflicts, God can then start to show you what’s been there; the true you in Christ…

Let Lalah Hathaway tell you about it… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYc1CgGpHp4&feature=related )

-Be Blessed

Debt Free Nation… a course being offered at my church, mixes Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University with an edge… The edge is getting to heart attachments; why we are in debt and why we enjoy it. Yes, we enjoy it. Quick to say, oh I need to come out of debt, but are we really willing to make the sacrifices. A question I have to ask myself.  The answer; for a continuous peace of mind and growth in Christ, yes, I’m willing.

A major accomplishment for me has put the wheels in motion.  On December 18, 2006, my mind was blown when I was approved a brand new 2006 Acura TSX.  It was so funny lol… Jermell still laughs at me.  To hear I was approved at a good rate… amazing. And when it couldn’t get better… Today, I am the PROUD OWNER OF MY NUN OTHA LOL!!! Yes folks, yo’ boy has paid his car off!!!  The excitement it has bought me… the momentum to now get it in with Gazelle Intensity… (Holla at Dave Ramsey to know about Gazelle Intensity)… For once I see me moving closer to financial freedom… and I’m so grateful to God.

Now with this goal accomplished, there still more financial goals to accomplish this year:

• Finish setting up an emergency fund starting with $1000 in mutual saving accounts.
• Car… well… I GOT THE TITLE AND WHAT???!!! Lol!!!!
• Pay off my Wells Fargo Credit Card.  Starting in March 2012…
• Continue to knock down a personal loan from a friend and my Navy Federal Card…
• Start looking at paying off the student loan and yes, the house… I’m ambitious… but what, you ain’t know… I’m one of the Good Kids… yeah one of God’s Kids… so fall back lol…
• Another goal I have is to hopefully help my family become debt free as well. It’s so much information jam packed in this class, that you wanna share it with everyone…
• Most importantly, seek God on how to manage the funds, He’s given me. And over all be a good steward…

Now here’s a sacrifice that I’ve decided and prayed over… I decided to go back to my regular cell phone… Yes yall… My thunderbolt gotta take a seat… but only for a time.  Small sacrifice, but I’m determined to what my part to come out of debt… I’m 30, but by 31 I will be able to say I’m making the steps and that’s a blessing. The day I get married, I want my wife and I to walk into that union with God leading, without financial bounds… among many things.  More so, it’s a blessing when you can give to others without limits… After all, God does that for me everyday… why can’t I do the same for others in this one of many ways…

THOUGHT:  Folks make the effort to seek financial freedom… you be surprised how that one area will help you to release in other areas in your life… Love you all and it’s my sincere prayer that you all continue to be best in what and who God has called in you.

40 days down… 51 days to go… and a lifetime of prosperity…

Be blessed!

Inspiration: Terry Ellis – She’s A Lady – (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnqhDmT9hOE )

Today, Red would have turned 80.  But it was God’s Will to call her home back in November 2011.  It all happened so fast, but it’s good to know Red wasn’t in any pain. It’s good to know, the legacy she left. My grandmother always exemplified Elegance, Class, and Keeping It Real. Grandma was truly a lady…

This past weekend, something awesome happened. As a family, we all got together in memory of her to fellowship and celebrate by doing what we do best. A big dinner. Italian style. Music playing… laughs… good eating… some tears… but overall, the Barnes Family came together and we had a ball.

I think back on that and realize this was one of the qualities that Red left with us all. Love.  My grandmother put into every daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, nieces, and young women that you must be first be a woman of God… first class, elegant, tactful, sophisticated, resourceful… and did I mention a woman of God., lol… She taught every son, grandson, great-grandson, and nephews how to pick a lady as a life mate.

Here are a few lessons that Red taught the family…

1.  Don’t take no mess off of folks.  Be straight up… Don’t sugarcoat it at all…
2. Run a budget and still managed to get a pair of shoes lol. She’s the only one I know that make groceries, go to Big Lots, and Payless and only have a $100, but gotta full of groceries… the coupon Queen LOL!!!… But a budget is a wonder… we must exercise it…
3. Put love into action. Amazing… 8 grandkids and this woman showed her love to us individually and collectively. She had a special & unique relationship with each grandchild… To Erika & Monique she was momma… lol. To let my mom tell it, Mom was a surrogate and my sisters and I  are the other kids of Marian & Haywood LOL!!! To me and my Dad, she’s Red… Fiery, Feisty, and Full of Love.
4. Apply the lessons you learned… We all have been dealt some blows in life… But grandma always taught up to take the good with the bad… learn the lessons and apply it all to make a better you…

Red,

Well you are at peace… You don’t have to worry about birthdays anymore. But thank you for the walks to the bus stops, the morning breakfast with the orange juice and milk lol. For the times when I was a little dude and we’d go to Be-Lo’s and I’d hold your pinky finger. For the times at St. John Baptist when I come to the Senior Class Sunday School to see you… For sitting in your lap and the naps after Rev. Freeman went into his 5^th wind of a sermon. For blessing me with the best Mother I could ever have in Rose Marie Davis… For believing in the best Father I could ever have, Vinnie Sr. For being the best wife to grandpa… For all you’ve done and who you are, Thank you… Again, it’s been a privilege and a honor to be your grandson… Like Dad, I know you’re proud of us all… you let us know each and every day.

Love You Red,

Vincent

P.S. Hope you, Dad, and all that are in Heaven are enjoying the best of your lives…  it is where we all are striving to… Love You.

Inspiration:  Ronnie Laws – Always There… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgDedcNeeVs)

This morning, I woke up to a warm day in January. Temperature was 61 in Capitol Heights and the breeze was feeling right. For a second, I thought I was a couple days from the best day ever, April 18^th.  This morning in the office, I’m cranking away to work… and then I hear a clap of thunder… the sky cracks open. Initial thought… geez some way to bring in 9 years dad… and then a funny thing happened… The sun came out. Skies just as blue as the water in Cancun and Miami… And then it hit me…

It’s been nine years since my father, Vincent Augustus Davis, Sr… went home to be with the Lord.  Hmmm, nine years. I think of all that’s occurred since Dad left.  So many good things… so many wonderful things… so many blessings… For a time, I almost felt guilty for living on… but then, God said, “why feel guilty? You’re in the best position to be used by Me. Enjoy it, my child.”

In his lifetime, Dad enjoyed life.  He was a son that always stood in the gap for his parents. A brother that always protected his brothers and sisters. An uncle that was highly respected by my cousins. A friend that was loyal and respected. A husband that love him some Rosie B… his best friend. A father that taught, disciplined, and always inspired, Erika, Christie, Monique and I. He was my first line of manhood… a foundation that exist to this day. Most of all Vinnie Sr… is a child of God, loved unconditionally.  All these things Dad was and even with him gone… he has his way of reminding me of what’s good and fair.  He always taught me a thing or two about good music.

So Dad… this song, Always There… it’s all you mane.  That jazz feel that you put in us all… And it puts in my mind… it serves as determination for us all to motivate one another… to encourage one another… to apply Romans 15:1-6. And of course the song itself… just head boppin… lol… surrendering to a good time…

Dad,

What can I say? I can’t even cry man… You at the best party ever… I can’t cry from sorrow, because YOU WON THE FIGHT… YOU RAN THE RACE… YOU SIR, are at PEACE… the place where we all strive to get to.  Miss you of course… but I just want to say thank you for more than 21 years of being in my life.  From the boxing as a lil man to the yard work… to the arguments… to the deep conversations… to the Star Trek…lol to always reminding me that who I am is not in vain. Thank you for your example of man of God. Thank you for teaching your son how to be a husband, to choose a woman with high integrity and good character… to be a father… to be a friend… to be a brother… to be a man.  Indeed, it has been a priviliege, an honor, and a blessing to be your son. I don’t have to say I hope I made you proud. You let me know when you were here… and that for me is enough…

I Love You Dad… Keep watching over us and teaching us…

Your Son,

Haus Collar…

Well it is that time again. That time when I celebrate the life and legacy of my father, Vincent Augustus Davis, Sr. In the past year, I got a bit more into some the music my parents would listen to.  My sisters, mother and I talk about how my dad loved his jazz.  Funny, you could always tell his mood by the music he’d listen to. From Kenny G, to War, to Temptations, to Boney James, to Bill Withers and so forth. But there was one artist that he would be crank’n off of on any given day, Mr. Ronnie Laws… As a lil dude out in the yard cutting grass with Dad, he would have his beer with him lol, but the radio would be on blast with Mr. Laws.  One of my favorite songs is Tidal Wave… but Dad had another one that we all liked, Friends & Strangers…

One thing about Dad; he was a quiet man. Always watching his surroundings. He was not one to call everyone friend.  His circle consisted of my godfather, Larry “Vann” Cousins… my uncle, Haywood P. Barnes, Jr.  and a few folks from the shipyard. He had a genuine love for everyone, but he was very conscious of who he went around.  Today I think back on that and realize I’m the same way.  I do it without thought.  Yet my circle of friends isn’t small, but still strategic like Dad’s. My line brothers, my two god brothers, and some great folks in DC… including Gloria, Mr. Brown, Scott, Jermell, Derrick, Lisa, Pam, and Emma.  Often wonder thought, why Dad was like that. And then it hit me… Dad had something that each of us should ask God for on a consistent basis… Discernment.

Recently, my god brother and I spoke about how sometimes folks will try to take advantage of the weak for the purpose of exploitation. It angers me, because many of us are in position to be a blessing, yet we choose to be a curse.  Yet if we ask God to give us discernment, we can then start to see if folks are for us or against us.  When I think back, Dad was good for this.  He could always tell if someone meant good or harm. Even with one of his siblings and he loved her dearly.  Maybe that’s why I don’t fool with nevermind lol. But nonetheless, after all these years, I think I understand the lesson that Dad was trying to teach me…

A friend will always be real with you. A friend will tell you what you need to hear; good or bad. A friend will hold you accountable. A friend will honor and respect your personal relationship with God. A friend will pray for and with you.  A friend will love you as Christ loves us all.

A stranger can come and go. A stranger could possibly take advantage of you. A stranger will tell you what you want to hear. A stranger could bring harm.  A stranger could be good or bad… could fake like a friend, but you must discern.

THOUGHT:  Everyone comes into your life for a reason. Some for a season… some for a lifetime.  You must ask God for the gift of discernment so that you know who is for you and against you.

Thanks for the lesson Dad. Love you.

This course, set for 13 weeks, will definitely set me up to look at my finances in another way.  A better way.  I’m 3 classes in and I’m excited.

Here are a few financial goals that I would like to accomplish this year:

• Set up an emergency fund starting with $1000 in a mutual savings account.
• Pay off my precious NUN OTHA… That’s right, yo’ boy about to be a car owner again!
• Pay off my Wells Fargo Credit Card.
• Continue to knock down a personal loan from a friend and my Navy Federal Credit Card.
• Start looking at paying off the student loan and yes, the house… I’m ambitious… YOU Betta know it!
• Most importantly, seek God on how to manage the funds, He’s given me. And over all be a good steward.

Now there are few other goals, I’m sure that will come forth, but for any of these goals to come to pass, I must be willing to make some sacrifices.  Now the question is… what are those sacrifices? Sit back and enjoy the series as I call myself out on some good choices and some bad choices; financially. Let’s see if we can figure out how to get on the right track to FINANCIAL FREEDOM… I’m sure they’re many that desire financial freedom; so that they can do what they want, but to be honest… financial freedom brings a level of people that many folks will never understand until they reach that point. And I’m going after that… for peace of mind and to start a new chapter in my family.

So let’s get it in yall! 20 days left and a lifetime of prosperity…

Be blessed!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012. Now I know I’m late. Work has been so busy and will continue through April, but I must get back to my therapy… writing. I’ve realized in 2011, I started to fall off on my writing.  Mainly due to the fact that most of my writing is inspirational and my most of my inspiration comes from the bible.  Well, I haven’t been doing a good job with studying and applying the Word.  And without that, my writing becomes limited.  Now also, a bro’ham been busy, but I must incorporate studying the Word as part of this walk in Christ.

Another good thing, I am in the Debt Free Nation course at church, and you know what that means??? The Return of Dollar$ & $en$e series will start up soon.  Yeap, time to revisit those concepts again and learn some new things as well.  Also with it being January, I’ll be preparing for a miniseries on my dad’s legacy as well as my grandmother.  I think 2012 will be a good year for writing. I’m excited about it.

And now…

THOUGHT:  2012 will present new challenges; good and bad.  But do you run from it or face it?  Allow God to have His Way in your life.

Be blessed!

This morning I spoke with a good friend of mines. As always, our conversations are good, yet this morning our conversation was a bit interesting. And always, the spirit of God drops something to remind us all… we are never alone.

We all know a lot of people. We know their likes, dislikes and so forth. Yet there’s one word that we must be mindful of using, “friend”.  Not everyone that is “there” for you is “there” for you.  I sent this out earlier:

Ask God for discernment.  Too many will smile and say they support you, yet have hidden agendas. Know who you are, Whom’s you are, and watch your circle of “friends”. 

Now for some our circle of friends is a moderate size. I know for myself, my circle of friends is very small… my godbruhs… my friend that I described above… and my line brothers. Doesn’t me I shun everyone else, but everyone can’t be in your inner circle. Furthermore, if we are connected to the spirit of God, then He will reveal who is to be in your life and who is not in that capacity and/or on that level.  And that’s the key. This morning my friend said they didn’t have any friends. Well except me of course lol, but I understood how they felt.  It’s hard when you feel that you are in this life all by yourself, yet God always reminds us that if we are connected to Him then we can never be alone and we are on assignment.

I think we all have seasons that seem to go quick and then seasons that seem like they will never end.  I know for myself, I’m a loner at heart. No, I’m not depressed lol… but my time with God is very serious to me and well… for about 25 years I didn’t realize how key that is to my existence, my purpose, my life.  I think going through a season where one is by him/herself is not a bad thing if you understand that maybe God wants you in that position.

Usually it seems these seasons come after something has occurred that may not be the best situation.  For some it’s after losing a loved one… others, it may be after learning a diagnosis. For some it could acknowledging some wrong doing… others, it could be tired of running and deciding to face your past. Whatever the case may be, God may want to take us through that “lonely season”.  I know for me, after my suicide attempt in 2005, I definitely went through a season of loneliness and what was crazy, folks were around lol.  What I initially thought was bad, really turned out to be the beginning of the best of my life.  In the time of solitude, you have a unique chance to learn who you are according to who God calls you.

Sounds fun??? Hmmm lol… that’s not the easiest thing and unlike grade school, you don’t get the degree until you meet Jesus Christ… face to face.

I guess what I’m saying is, don’t be afraid if you have to walk thru this life and it appears you are alone. In fact you are in the best position for God to speak to you… to use you… and trust me… once God gets a hold of you, He will surround you with the right circle of friends, family, loved ones. His Children are serious about the continuous edification of His Kingdom… God’s Amazing Kingdom. People that are not ashamed about the Gospel of Jesus Christ… People that will pray with you and for you. People that are genuine with not hidden agendas or motives. People that want what’s best for you, but will step back and respect that God wants the best for us all.

THOUGHT: If you allow the spirit of God to come into your life and let Him have His Way, then how can you be alone?  In spite of how we feel, we must be reminded of His Great Commission:

Matthew 28:16 – 20

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2011…

The beginning of the year was full of peace and smiles…

I was on top of the world, ready to run for miles…

Enjoying new responsibilities and eager to seek goals…

Trusting in the Lord, as He used me to save souls…

And then April came… finally hit 30…

Hmmm made it to 30, God You are worthy…

But by summer life would happen once again…

The old demons came back and brought pain…

On top of staying strong for my family and friends…

Once again, I wonder could I be near the end…

And the fall season would come and add fuel to the fire…

Death of an uncle… still smiling but distracted from my desire…

My desire to seek God and trust in Him…

Once again my light became dim…

And then when things couldn’t get worse…

Red goes on and leaves me; man I feel cursed…

Grandma why you have to leave me … just why…

Now I’m left here with folks; their issues and lies…

2011… what a year you have been…

And yet in the midst of it all… I think back to then…

Back to the beginning of the year when it was good and bright…

It reminds me that I must walk by faith and not by sight…

God, as difficult as it’s been, I thank You for 2011…

It has prepared me just a bit more for that day in Heaven…

But until that time, I will stay focus on Your Desire…

Yes that’s it… I almost forgot about my Desire…

My Desire to live in Your Presence…

To live in Your Power… live in Your Glory…

Cleanse my heart; renew my life… until my life brings You Joy…

In Jesus Christ, Amen…

Know that the presence of God is with you.  He is constantly speaking to each of us. Yet we claim God doesn’t hear our cry.  But the truth of the matter is we don’t hear Him, because of we are clouded with all the issues of the world… our personal problems.

Yesterday, the elder spoke of the man that was trying to reach the pool.  Jesus Christ asked Him, “Do you want to be made whole?”  The man complained that he couldn’t get to the water and that others passed him.  Yet Christ told him, to get up, take your mat, and walk…  In today’s time… Christ asks us, do you want to me made whole? Yet we have excuses.  Christ didn’t ask us about the issues, all He asks is do you want to made whole?  When are you going to stop allowing all the issues to order your steps?  When do you take a proactive approach in your deliverance? God has supplied us with the tools and resources necessary to be free.  When do you stop and listen to His Voice?

Don’t miss the visitation of God’s Presence… Your life… Your eternity depends on it.